1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; allowing an innovation research zone partner to use a 
1.3 	nationally recognized high school academic assessment;amending Laws 2017, 
1.4 	First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 52, subdivision 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 52, subdivision 
1.7 	2, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 2.Exemptions from laws and rules. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the 
1.9 	contrary, an innovation zone partner with an approved plan is exempt from each of the 
1.10 	following state education laws and rules specifically identified in its plan:
1.11 	(1) any law or rule from which a district-created, site-governed school under Minnesota 
1.12 	Statutes, section 123B.045, is exempt;
1.13 	(2) any statute or rule from which the commissioner has exempted another district or 
1.14 	charter school, as identified in the list published on the Department of Education's Web site 
1.15 	under subdivision 4, paragraph (b);
1.16 	(3) online learning program approval under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.095, 
1.17 	subdivision 7, if the school district or charter school offers a course or program online 
1.18 	combined with direct access to a teacher for a portion of that course or program;
1.19 	(4) restrictions on extended time revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, 
1.20 	subdivision 2a, for a student who meets the criteria of Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68, 
1.21 	subdivision 2; and
2.1 	(5) any required hours of instruction in any class or subject area for a student who is 
2.2 	meeting all competencies consistent with the graduation standards described in the innovation 
2.3 	zone plan.; and
2.4 	(6) statewide assessment requirements under chapter 120B, in accordance with paragraph 
2.5 	(b).
2.6 	(b) The exemptions under this subdivision must not be construed as exempting an 
2.7 	innovation zone partner from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. An innovation 
2.8 	zone partner with an approved plan may submit to the commissioner a request to amend its 
2.9 	plan to replace one or more of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments administered in 
2.10 	high school with a nationally recognized high school academic assessment. An innovation 
2.11 	zone partner must submit the request to amend its plan in the form and manner determined 
2.12 	by the commissioner. Within 60 days of receiving the request, the commissioner must 
2.13 	request approval under the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary 
2.14 	Education Act for the innovation zone partner to administer the nationally recognized high 
2.15 	school academic assessment in place of one or more of the Minnesota Comprehensive 
2.16 	Assessments. The innovation zone partner may not implement the requested change until 
2.17 	the request is approved by the United States Department of Education and the amended 
2.18 	innovation zone plan is approved by the commissioner.

2.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.